Hello, I'm Mark. As a SF bay area resident, I had heard of Burning Man but I didn't really know what it was. I had an idea but it was so wrong (that's another story). Earlier this year a Burning Man mention on sports radio of all places, and my mention of the radio comment to a friend, led me down the path of learning what Burning Man really is. What I found both horrified and fascinated me. Burning Man isn't just a little outside my comfort zone, it's many steps over the line. Ultimately, fascination trumped horror and here I am.

The friend that piqued my BM interest told me to start asking around, I might be surprised who I know that's been. Indeed, an old business partner has gone the last few years and agreed to "watch my back" on my first exploration. I mentioned my plans to my younger brother and he has been hooked as well. So now our camp now has three.

My brother and I are having a great time planning and preparing our camp. We're reading ePlaya like men possessed and learning a lot (thanks to all for sharing so generously). My old business partner is giving us some preparation tips but he doesn't want to give too much away, he wants us discover as much of the wonder as we can on our own. Of the many things that we'll experience, I'm thinking it will also be a great opportunity for two brothers that live many miles apart to connect in a way we never have before.

I'm doing my best to get involved early through "Support A Project" and I've connected with my regional group and actually spent Saturday working on their CORE project.

Of course, I'll keep reading all the great information on ePlaya while anxiously awaiting my introduction to the playa when we finally arrive in BRC.

Welcome Mark, You're doing the perfect exercise for enjoyment on the playa.........preparation. Nobody can 'give away the secret' and ruin the ending. You'll go every year and still be amazed. Like a surprise party that lasts a week. Welcome.

Pictures or it didn't happen GreycoyoteI a recovering swagaholic I have to resist my grabby nature VultureChowThose aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on SavannahWe're out there to play like adults with no adult supervision CaptG

HI!!!!I am Roman. I will start a bit back because i think that past is important to understand me better (if anyone cares to do so at some point of time).I am Ukrainian and I am Canadian, yes in that order. I was born and grew up in the small city in western Ukraine. I was always a daredevil, being a kid I survived through a number or near death experiences due to falls from various heights. I still dont understand how i am even alive. I think I had about 50 different fractures. I just think its pretty amazing that our bodies can recover from stuff like that but i think im difting off topic....Anywho, when I was 16 me parents moved me to Canada, the country that became my new home. It was a rough transition, Eventually I made new friends, new loves, new hobbies, new interests... it worked out well. And then... I think it was 2007.... I have learned about burning man. It became the idea I have been coming back to over and over again. I never had enough patience to actually buy a ticket and plan a trip. And now in retrospect I think I needed to wait I needed that idea to mature, I needed myself to grow into it. I think joining the army has a lot to do with it. Living on the edge of life gives you a totally different appreciation for it and now I actually want to do things instead of planing to do things. I dont know what will happen to me in that desert but I know its time to go there and burn. I always sucked at writing so I apologise for countless grammatical errors in this text.See you on the playa. Roman.

oly14 wrote:Hello, I'm Mark. As a SF bay area resident, I had heard of Burning Man but I didn't really know what it was. I had an idea but it was so wrong (that's another story). Earlier this year a Burning Man mention on sports radio of all places, and my mention of the radio comment to a friend, led me down the path of learning what Burning Man really is. What I found both horrified and fascinated me. Burning Man isn't just a little outside my comfort zone, it's many steps over the line. Ultimately, fascination trumped horror and here I am.

The friend that piqued my BM interest told me to start asking around, I might be surprised who I know that's been. Indeed, an old business partner has gone the last few years and agreed to "watch my back" on my first exploration. I mentioned my plans to my younger brother and he has been hooked as well. So now our camp now has three.

My brother and I are having a great time planning and preparing our camp. We're reading ePlaya like men possessed and learning a lot (thanks to all for sharing so generously). My old business partner is giving us some preparation tips but he doesn't want to give too much away, he wants us discover as much of the wonder as we can on our own. Of the many things that we'll experience, I'm thinking it will also be a great opportunity for two brothers that live many miles apart to connect in a way we never have before.

Hi Mark! I'm so excited for you, particularly because "Burning Man isn't just a little outside my comfort zone, it's many steps over the line."

Gobkin wrote:HI!!!!I am Roman. I will start a bit back because i think that past is important to understand me better (if anyone cares to do so at some point of time).I am Ukrainian and I am Canadian, yes in that order. I was born and grew up in the small city in western Ukraine. I was always a daredevil, being a kid I survived through a number or near death experiences due to falls from various heights. I still dont understand how i am even alive. I think I had about 50 different fractures. I just think its pretty amazing that our bodies can recover from stuff like that but i think im difting off topic....Anywho, when I was 16 me parents moved me to Canada, the country that became my new home. It was a rough transition, Eventually I made new friends, new loves, new hobbies, new interests... it worked out well. And then... I think it was 2007.... I have learned about burning man. It became the idea I have been coming back to over and over again. I never had enough patience to actually buy a ticket and plan a trip. And now in retrospect I think I needed to wait I needed that idea to mature, I needed myself to grow into it. I think joining the army has a lot to do with it. Living on the edge of life gives you a totally different appreciation for it and now I actually want to do things instead of planing to do things. I dont know what will happen to me in that desert but I know its time to go there and burn. I always sucked at writing so I apologise for countless grammatical errors in this text.See you on the playa. Roman.

Hi Roman!

Glad you're finally ready to come to the playa. Army (and other) military folks do tend to hold up very well out there.

Your writing and English grammar are better than many a native speaker, so don't worry about it.

Welcome to the board!

*** 2017 Survival Guide ***"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger

Hi Roman, Welcome. If you're interested in spending some time with your 'countrymen', (from either country), a little research would probably find some. You know...Singing folk songs in strange languages like Canadian or Ukrainian. Welcome to Eplaya.

Pictures or it didn't happen GreycoyoteI a recovering swagaholic I have to resist my grabby nature VultureChowThose aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on SavannahWe're out there to play like adults with no adult supervision CaptG

Ratty, yup, I am already on top of that, I have spent past 4 month reading the board, I find that all questions have already been answered so never had a reason to post. Turned out a friend of a friend whom I met at some party is active in BM community her in Canada (...if that's the correct term... hmmm)

Hi been here awhile and said hi but never introduced myself. My name Is Brad Bird ,live in Dundee Or ,almost 58 years old . Finally got all the kids raised and going to do more fun things for myself. Seen this BM going on last year as I drove by on a bike trip and wanted to go. Love to travel .

Pictures or it didn't happen GreycoyoteI a recovering swagaholic I have to resist my grabby nature VultureChowThose aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on SavannahWe're out there to play like adults with no adult supervision CaptG

Welcome MissSmee, You have a great playa name. Hang around and do research, ask questions and make future friends.

Pictures or it didn't happen GreycoyoteI a recovering swagaholic I have to resist my grabby nature VultureChowThose aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on SavannahWe're out there to play like adults with no adult supervision CaptG

Hello, I am Heather.I live in Long Beach with my beau, who will drive my dad's beat up old truck to the middle of the desert with me this summer. He has always wanted to attend. Me, not so much. But then something happened over fall and I did a 180- I think it had to do with us opening our business- but I can't say for certain. I went from "hell no" to Gung-ho. Whatever; I can deal with that. We have a nice stash of supplies building that sits in our living room making us even more eager for August. We have friends that burn, but I aim for not relying on them for much more than advice and anecdotes. These boards have been a valuable resource for me as I plan our little camp and shop for the necessities. And make decisions; such as no on the RV; yes to truck and yurt. Thanks All!-H

Scandinavian backpacker here. I was introduced to Burning Man a week ago and nearly lost my breath when I realised I actually have a possibility to go. It felt like finding home in a way I'm sure many of you might understand. I've been obsessed with finding out as much information as possible and cant't even begin to speculate how many hours I've already spent on the website, gallery, youtube, eplaya and finding previous burners storys like hidden gems across the web.

I haven't been around many creative people since I finished school and am constantly reminded of how much I miss it. I've registered on STEP, feel more than ready for the OMG sale and will do anything in my power to find tickets for this years burn. I've read a lot of comments where people are encouraged to go ahead with the planning a have faith, so I will. If this year is no my year then I'm still grateful for finding this community and will be much more prepared for next year. For this I know, I WILL attend. Somehow, someday.

Welcome Njorun, Step works so expect to go. Most people on Eplaya over prepare. You don't need everything. (Being a backpacker you already know that.) See you in the dust.

Pictures or it didn't happen GreycoyoteI a recovering swagaholic I have to resist my grabby nature VultureChowThose aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on SavannahWe're out there to play like adults with no adult supervision CaptG

Get in touch with your regional. Seriously, there's a group of about half a dozen guys from Oslo who attend every other year and they are huge. They know how to do all sorts of weird, creative things from a long distance. This should be one of their years.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

I will try to restrict myself and do the shopping once tickets have been sorted out

Oh yes it's amazing how well it's possible to live with only the stuff on your back. 7 months in and I haven't missed a thing (well not entirely true perhaps. Surprisingly, a hair dryer seems to be the thing my mind wanders back to. Being able to have a dry head on damp or cold days really is a luxury). I'm looking forward to the ultimate test of LNT.

Welcome Lexy. Coming all the way from South Africa! Well, it's worth the trip. Will you be coming alone? Staying on for awhile?

Pictures or it didn't happen GreycoyoteI a recovering swagaholic I have to resist my grabby nature VultureChowThose aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on SavannahWe're out there to play like adults with no adult supervision CaptG